"Ahri." said a young boy in his teens as his large hand gently brushes the top of Ahri's head when she was just a normal white fox.
She couldn't see his face, but his scent, voice and touch were something she would never forget. He sat down cross legged and pats his thigh calling Ahri to come sit on his lap, which she gladly does without a second thought.
"Looks like your injury is healing properly." He said, touching her bandaged hind leg.
Ahri lets out a little cry to assure him that she was doing fine.
"I also brought some smoked fish and white peaches." The boy with a shadow over his face says, unwrapping a bundle of large bamboo leafs revealing slices of fish then takes out a pouch full of fruit.
Feeding her a slice then giving himself a piece, Ahri let's out another cry. He gives her another slice in compliance and begins to run his hand along her fur. He also helps himself to a white peach which Ahri cries for as well. When they finished one, he would dig a small hole beside them and place the seed inside, before covering the pit with dirt.
"Maybe we'll see it grow and bear fruit some day... even if we don't, as least others will." He said, rubbing Ahri's ears as she licks his fingers that still had some peach nectar.
Ahri was lost in time as this moment of peace felt ever so wonderful, but it had to end eventually. He sets Ahri to the side and gets to his feet. He pets her head again as she leans in, then leaves the rest of food next to her.
"I have to attend an important ceremony today, Ahri. I will return tomorrow." He says, retracting his hand and begins to walk away.
Ahri barks and chases after him.
Ahri - (Stop! Don't leave me!)
She sprinted like her life depended on it, but no matter how hard she tried, he slowly became more and more distant
Ahri - (I know you won't come back, I remember those words. Don't go! Please, stop!)
She suddenly tripped over a tree root and watches the boy disappear into the endless forest. Ahri lays on the ground defeated and whimpers.
Ahri - (You left me alone again... I-I wish I was human... then I could properly tell you how I feel...)
Ahri wakes up in her bed at the Institute of War with tears that won't stop flowing.
"That dream again, I need to stop having that stupid dream." said Ahri as she walks into her bathroom to splash some water in her face.
"That's all in the past, that's all in the past, that's all... errr stop crying." Ahri hisses to herself in the mirror, but loses her temper when the tears returned.
It's been years since Ahri joined the League, but the past still poses a burden on her heart. She couldn't remember the face of the human who saved her life, let alone shower her with love. Ahri's dream to be human was her own ambition, because she felt her old form couldn't handle the potential she had. Her goal had nothing to do with that human, but Ahri knew better.
"I want to meet you again." Ahri finally admits, falling to her knees before sobbing in silence.
These dreams would often appear during the time of year when the human, Ahri was so fond of, disappeared for good. These dreams were something she couldn't stop as well as something she wanted to keep secret. The reason to keep it a secret is that she's already become popular with humans and asking for the identity of the boy who took care of her years ago would only lead to false claims for the sake of getting close to her.
Ahri finally felt that it was time to visit the spot where their peach tree was to find some closure. It was after midnight and the cold, crisp air was surrounding Ionia, but Ahri didn't mind. The forest was without danger and the moon light illuminated her path. The tree, the boy planted was now twenty feet high, bearing large, white peaches. Ahri thought it was only right to help herself to some, so jumping up the tree, she settles on a branch to snack out. Taking a bite, she closes her eyes in delight as the nostalgic taste envelopes her. Relaxing in the tree, she loses track of time.
As the morning sun slowly rises, Ahri hears footsteps approaching the tree and decides to hide further up in the branches. Someone enters the clearing with a wooden bucket and ladle in hand, then starts splashing water on its root. Ahri knew the water had magical attributes, but what she had trouble getting across her mind was why that person was here watering her tree.